Caledonian Canal and Oban
The Lord of the Glens had a very early start from Corpach where the last set of locks allow entry into the open waters of Loch Aber. The 6:30 a.m. start was in order to allow us to catch the high tide and thereby maximize our speed and sailing time. During breakfast we enjoyed our first experience of sailing in the ship outside of the calm waters of the Caledonian Canal. The weather was very changeable with bright sun rapidly giving way to heavy, lowering clouds that provided us with several astonishingly bright, broad rainbows.
Rick gave a presentation that was very relevant to this part of our voyage, “A Personal Account of Sailing in the Western Isles,” as we headed through ever-changing weather towards Oban, our destination for today and tonight. The name of this town, Oban, is Gaelic for ‘little bay’ and that is exactly what it is. As we moored at the North Pier we could see the whole bay and town lying in front of us. Following lunch we were free to roam along the curving main street, explore some of the small alleys and lanes behind and take our last chance for shopping, banks, post office etc. before heading out to the more remote islands and mainland locations in the next part of our trip.
The early evening saw us gathering quay-side next to the ship where Konia and Steve gave a historical overview of Oban and then a hardy group chose to accompany them on the short but steep uphill hike to the monument known as McCaig’s Folly which dominates the town’s horizon. This copy of the Roman Coliseum was erected between 1895 and 1902 by a local wealthy philanthropist John McCaig who employed local stonemasons to create the monument during the winter when they would otherwise have been unemployed. Today most people have forgotten Mr. McCaig but his personal coliseum is still enjoyed by visitors and locals alike.
Dinner on board was relaxed and delicious and we were treated to a vibrant sunset over the Isle of Kerrera which shelters Oban Bay. Tomorrow sees us making our first visit to a Hebridean island, actually two islands, Mull and Iona.
